Bill Bryson Collector's Edition: Notes from a Small Island / Neither Here Nor There / I'm a Stranger Here Myself

by Bill Bryson

Notes from a Small Island
After nearly two decades in Britain, Bill Bryson decided to move his wife and kids back to his homeland of the United States. But not before taking one last trip around Britain, a sort of valedictory tour of the green and kindly island that had so long been his home. The result is a hilarious social commentary that conveys the true glory of Britain.

Neither Here nor There
Thirty years after backpacking across Europe, Bill Bryson decides to retrace the journey he undertook in the halcyon days of his youth–carrying with him a bag of maps, old clothes…and a stinging wit honed to razor sharpness by two decades of adult experience.

I’m a Stranger Here Myself
Bill Bryson read “somewhere” that nearly three million Americans believed they had been abducted by aliens–clearly the Americans needed Bill back. So after years raising his family in Britain with his English wife, the brood moves to the United States, and leaves Bill to chronicle the quirkiest aspects of life in America as he reveals his own rules for life.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Humor, Memoir, Biography

Audio CD

First published October 17, 2006

About the author

Bill Bryson is a bestselling American-British author known for his witty and accessible nonfiction books spanning travel, science, and language. He rose to prominence with Notes from a Small Island (1995), an affectionate portrait of Britain, and solidified his global reputation with A Short History of Nearly Everything (2003), a popular science book that won the Aventis and Descartes Prizes. Raised in Iowa, Bryson lived most of his adult life in the UK, working as a journalist before turning to writing full-time. His other notable works include A Walk in the Woods, The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid, and The Mother Tongue. Bryson served as Chancellor of Durham University (2005–2011) and received numerous honorary degrees and awards, including an honorary OBE and election as an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society. Though he announced his retirement from writing in 2020, he remains one of the most beloved voices in contemporary nonfiction, with over 16 million books sold worldwide.

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listening to this made me think of that saying....."Would you like some cheese with your WHINE!?" I really wanted to like Notes from a Small Island. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson is one of my favorite books. There were a few laughs here and there but the amount of complaining this man does just grated on my nerves. I struggled from the first disk to the last. I will give the other stories a shot but this one fell short.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by the author so much that I think this left me a bit disappointed. Lots of stories - life in Great Britain, traveling, and life in America. There was plenty of interesting material, but too often it just sounded like Bill Bryson was just complaining a lot.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful collection which will keep you thoroughly entertained on the road and is read by the author himself who has a wonderful Iowa/English accent that sorta sticks in your brain so that now I am reading Down Under, I can hear him in my head. I would love to meet his wife as she sounds like a lovely, patient human being.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally an author who reads from his own work has lived up to my expectations. Just as I imagined him to be. Of course, I enjoy anything that I read from Bryson, so I was prepared to be disappointed "listening" to him read his works. I wasn't, and I look forward to reading (or hearing!) more from him.

[Sara Shores · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Bill Bryson and everything he's ever written. He's witty, charming and hilarious. This is a collection of 3 stories ranging from moving to America, his homeland after 20 years abroad, backpacking in Europe and a trip around Britain.

[Kiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to these books on various car trips over several years. I just finished the last book on a nine-hour drive. All three were great. Bryson's observations on England and America were funny and endearing. The whole thing was just a treat.

[David Dietrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical Bryson: Full of heart, laughs and keen, relatable observations. He's like an old friend, sharing stories you'd gladly listen to again and again.

[Chris Birdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, frothy collection of essays from an American trying to squeeze himself into the British way of life.

[Michael Parrish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very few writers have such a gift of narrative voice that it feels so very much like you're sitting around talking with a best friend about a variety of subjects, be they travel, science, literature, the native tongue, and so many more things. Bill Bryson is one of those gifted folk. The writing is butter smooth, and so very approachable, regardless of the subject and you find yourself carried along quite willingly on his jaunts into the varied subjects laughing and learning as you go.

Notes from a Small Island is a hilarious journey through Great Britain, with storied characters met along the way as he zig-zags his way through the country, seen through the eyes of a man raised in Iowa. Encounters in the deep fog, strangers met with thick accents, and much more lead to some very humorous stories in his deft hands.

Neither Here Nor There takes the formula used so successfully in Notes and carries it outside Great Britain and into Europe, with that same keen eye to observation and wit. Fans of A Walk in the Woods, take note...the ever lovable Stephen Katz is along for parts of the tale.

I'm a Stranger Here Myself is a collection of newspaper articles Mr Bryson wrote after being back in America after 2 decades abroad, and the observations he made about the adjustments to be made (culture shock), family life, current American life and luxuries - all made with earnest heart but with typical Bryson wit as you go along.

I can't recommend these volumes enough. You'll laugh and learn, expand your horizons, and pine for what's just over that next hill, and stop and think about your surroundings as you do. If you don't read Bryson (this or any of his books), you're cheating yourself.

[Alice · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had to stop listening.

We tried. We really did. We listened for several hours over many different times to really give this audiobook a chance. However, the author is a terrible narrator! His voice is as close to monotone as you can get without actually being completely monotone. Inflection so slight that you wonder if you heard it or only imagined it. His accent is also odd and doesn’t help the narration. Maybe we could have listened to more of the book if an actual voice actor had been used. Maybe.

Some of the stories are amusing and we did chuckle every once in awhile, however, the author obviously thinks he’s much funnier than he is. He does have some interesting insights and interesting information to share. However, what really ended it for us was the realization that much of his “humor” was just being mean spirited about something or someone.

We really tried to continue this book. It’s the only one we’ve ever completely quit on. This was our first go with this author. We know he is popular and well respected. Maybe if we had just read his work we would have gotten farther than listening. However, we will not be trying any other of his books in any form. I believe we didn't even make it through the first of the three books that are part of this collection.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this book mainly to hear the first book "Notes from a Small Island" since I'm about to visit the UK. I thoroughly enjoyed both the first and third book in this collection but the second really surprised me. He was much more crass and it had quite a lot of bad language. I absolutely love Bill Bryson books and I especially love listening to the audio versions when he narrates (as he did here) but the second book I could have done without. First and third were very enjoyable and I found myself laughing out loud many times.

[Jj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why are these all abridged versions? I was quite disappointed by this situation. I was further disappointed to learn that some were never even produced as unabridged versions. BUMMER.

NOTE:
2/3 complete:
listened to Notes From a Small Island and I'm a Stranger Here Myself
but not Neither Here nor There

[Katherine Mellenbruch · Rating 5 out of 5]

It almost became a religion because it was so long reading through it bit by bit at night. Bill Bryson gives you the courage to be curious and to laugh in unfortunate situations that he somehow makes funny.

Not my first Bryson book, won't be my last. Thank you for inspiring me to be a solo traveler myself!

[Lela Roby · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Bill! Never misses. Always hilarious.

[Bill Glose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bill Bryson's witty travelogue is captivating and makes me yearn to go abroad.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Notes on Returning to America After 20 Years Away. Funny but a bit repetitive.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I avoided this (audio) book for a long time because it was an abridged compilation of three books and I don't generally like abridgements. I'm glad I finally relented.

Notes from a Small Island: Meh. I enjoyed a lot of it simply because I enjoy Bill Bryson but I often felt like I was missing out on a culture full of inside jokes... which I was. As an American, a lot of what he had to say went over my head or lacked context to make it more relevant and/or interesting. It was OK and had some good moments - but the abridgement was good enough for me.

Neither Here Nor There: Better. Again, as a straight travel piece I did wane in interest from time to time. It was easier to relate to simply because the author was out of his element so his fresh perspective was one I could understand. His intimate familiarly with England (and my lack of familiarity) made that not possible in "Notes from a Small Island".

I'm a Stranger Here Myself: Best of the three. This is a collection of previously published weekly newspaper columns about life in America. Some were hysterical. Some were so so. But the overall affect was quite good. Gabe giggled uncontrollably through the section of book he listened to.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love Bill Bryson, and one of the best ways to "read" his books is to listen to Bryson himself narrate it. Of this collection, my favorite is "Notes from a Small Island", recounting Bryson's life in England. "Neither Here Nor There", in which he recalls his travels in Europe, is equally funny. The only time I found myself getting rather annoyed with Bryson was in the book "I'm a Stranger Here Myself". In his later books, such as the "Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid", Bryson seems to poke fun of himself and America in a kind and genial way, much as he does with the rest of the many countries he visits. However, in "I'm a Stranger", Bryson gives way to a rather constant and monotonous bitching about everything that is WRONG with America. There were times when I simply yelled at the CD player - - - "yes Bill, we know, the U.S. sucks" and punched the fast forward button.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've finished "Notes from a Small Island," the first of the three audio books, and I must say I snorted with laughter along with the best of them. A fine turn of language here, as always with Bill Bryson. Looking forward to listening to the next two and "Neither Here Nor There" has certainly started off with a bang.

The rest of this audiobook did not disappoint. There were moments when I had to clap my hand over my mouth to keep from laughing out loud while riding the bus. Filing Income Tax Returns will never be the same.

[Philip Hollenback · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok so here's the deal: this is really three books. The first is about Bill's return to England and it's really boring. Just skip it.

The second is about his return to traveling around Europe. This book is hilarious. Also, Katz from A Walk in the Woods reappears.

The third is a collection of columns he wrote about returning to live in America. This book is also funny with a lot of poignant moments.

If you enjoy Bryson's writing style you should definitely check this out. However, just skip the first book.

[Lina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very funny! I found myself laughing hysterically quite often, and read many passages to my family. I liked the format - how the book was split into short chapters/columns - it made reading easier. I do wish he had left some of his political views out, or made them less outspoken, as the tone was just complaining. A few language issues tainted it for me as well, but overall, it was a pleasure to read :)

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Hilarious reflections on Great Britain by an American who lived there for 20 years and took a last long trip around the country before moving home."

[Auke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good and easy listening and oh so true

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for rainy days slogging on the treadmill! I love the books, hearing him read them, even better.

[Ginna · Rating 5 out of 5]

a re-read as i am longing to go to Europe. even better the second time around...

[Ildikó · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute MUST in the car - when my husband and I go on long road trips we love listening to one of Bryson's audiobooks, suddenly we find ourselves traveling to multiple places and times.

[Mary Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bryson is funny and fun, as always a good read

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

(audiobook.) Oh Bill, please do not make me laugh any harder while I try to drive to work. Too many potholes I'm trying to see through those tears.

[Marcus Bosch]

great!!

[Lois · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with many other reviewer that Bryson's first book in this collection misses the mark. He is very negative about England and misses the charm. I enjoyed the other two books in this collection.